Gameday. Game Eight. Penguins vs Panthers.

The Penguins (4-2-1) begin their mini two game Florida trip tonight when they take on the Florida Panthers (2-3-0) tonight at 7:30PM from BB&T Center.

These teams last squared off just six days ago in Pittsburgh, a game in which the Penguins won 4-3, thanks largely in part to Sidney Crosby being half human and half god. The one thing the Florida Panthers might have going for them is that they're a good team when playing at home. So far this season, the Panthers are 2-0-0 at home and 0-3-0 on the road. However, in their last five visits to Sunrise, Florida, the Penguins are 3-0-2 and the Penguins are 8-0-2 in their last ten games against the Panthers. I tried to make a case for Florida tonight, but the more I think about it, I really like the Penguins' chances in this one.

Since the Penguins play their first game of a back-to-back (they play in Tampa Bay tomorrow night), it'll be interesting to see who Head Coach Mike Sullivan goes to in goal tonight. I personally would think Niemi would get the nod in goal tonight, which saves Murray for the better team tomorrow night. In his time with Pittsburgh so far, Niemi has sucked to say the least. In fairness to Niemi, one of those games was the 10-1 massacre by the Chicago Blackhawks, a game in which even Harambe wouldn't have been able to bail the Penguins out. Bottomline, I believe Niemi gets the start tonight and Matt Murray goes tomorrow night in Tampa Bay. The Penguins did not hold a morning skate this morning so we won't find out who's actually in net until closer to game time.